Don Verdean

It's not satire. A lot of the reviews blithely use that word. Religion serves more as the *setting* than as the *subject.* The directors are Christian; the film isn't anti-religion in the slightest. It does have a thesis, for sure, but the thesis is not, "evangelical people are stupid." It's more like a precautionary tale, almost, about the dangers of "taking things too far." It's also not really a comedy. It's more didactic than that. And I think the viewer has to be on board with listening to what the directors have to say.

The first half is comedy gold. If you grew up with any influence from the traditional “old times” church in your life, you will cry and laugh till your gut splits. It buffoons the idiocy and tragedy of the Westboro baptist and Joel Osteen types. But the humor is often subtle and/or deadpan, and the average middle-American household won’t “get it.” Other wise I’m not sure why this film isn’t getting the attention it deserves.